The Highest Peaks on Earth

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

In the strictest sense of the word, a mountain is simply another landform that towers above other land. In some cases, we call these hills or peaks, but when the landform is big enough, we give it a better word: a mountain.

The Earth’s wide variety of climates and terrain includes both the peaks and the valleys, the swamps and the deserts, but mountains appear on every single continent including Antarctica. According to some studies, about 25% of the land on Earth can be described as “mountainous.” So which are the peaks that stand high above all others?

Let’s look at it on a continent-by-continent basis:

• Europe – Mount Elbrus, standing at 18,510 feet in southwestern Russia along the Caucasus mountain range. With two summits, Elbrus is full of lore especially in local areas, with names that range in meaning from “tall” to “eternal.” Standing even higher than the mountains in the Alps, this giant was first ascended in 1874.
• North America – Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, standing at 20,320 feet. McKinley also has meaningful alternate names, as Denali means “the great one.” You can find Mount McKinley in Denali National Park in central Alaska. Mount McKinley was first ascended in 1913.
• Africa – Mount Kilimanjaro, at 19,330 feet. Located near the border of northern Tanzania, Kilimanjaro stands out like a sore thumb along the eastern African planes, giving it a stunning view of the surrounding area. Kilimanjaro was first ascended in 1889.
• South America – Aconcagua, at 22,841 feet. Aconcagua, taller than Mount McKinley, is the tallest of all mountains in the Americas, and is located between the Chilean and Argentinian border in the Andes mountains. Its first recorded ascent was in 1897.
• Asia – The famous Mount Everest is the highest peak in Asia and the world at a gargantuan 29,029 feet. It should be noted that the Himalayas boast over 100 mountains taller than Aconcagua, which is taller than any peak in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. This gives an idea of how large and tall the mountains of the Himalayas are.
• Mars – I had to throw this bonus “not on Earth” one. Olympus Mons, Latin for “Mount Olympus,” is the tallest known mountain in the Solar System, standing at about three times as tall as Mount Everest, at approximately 88,580 feet.

Now you know which mountains stretch higher above the others, as well as the dominance of the Himalayan mountain range, which is in turn dwarfed by Olympus Mons. While you don’t have to scale any of these today, you might consider taking a trip to one of these amazing sights: just remember to bring plenty of supplies if you decide to head to Mars.

The Highest Peaks on Earth (And Beyond)

Monday, June 29th, 2009

In the strictest sense of the word, a mountain is simply another landform that towers above other land. In some cases, we call these hills or peaks, but when the landform is big enough, we give it a better word: a mountain.

The Earth’s wide variety of climates and terrain includes both the peaks and the valleys, the swamps and the deserts, but mountains appear on every single continent including Antarctica. According to some studies, about 25% of the land on Earth can be described as “mountainous.” So which are the peaks that stand high above all others?

Let’s look at it on a continent-by-continent basis.

Europe:

Mount Elbrus, standing at 18,510 feet in southwestern Russia along the Caucasus mountain range. With two summits, Elbrus is full of lore especially in local areas, with names that range in meaning from “tall” to “eternal.” Standing even higher than the mountains in the Alps, this giant was first ascended in 1874.

North America:

Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, standing at 20,320 feet. McKinley also has meaningful alternate names, as Denali means “the great one.” You can find Mount McKinley in Denali National Park in central Alaska. Mount McKinley was first ascended in 1913.

Africa:

Mount Kilimanjaro, at 19,330 feet. Located near the border of northern Tanzania, Kilimanjaro stands out like a sore thumb along the eastern African planes, giving it a stunning view of the surrounding area. Kilimanjaro was first ascended in 1889.

South America:

Aconcagua, at 22,841 feet. Aconcagua, taller than Mount McKinley, is the tallest of all mountains in the Americas, and is located between the Chilean and Argentinian border in the Andes mountains. Its first recorded ascent was in 1897.

Asia:

The famous Mount Everest is the highest peak in Asia and the world at a gargantuan 29,029 feet. It should be noted that the Himalayas boast over 100 mountains taller than Aconcagua, which is taller than any peak in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. This gives an idea of how large and tall the mountains of the Himalayas are.

Mars:

Olympus Mons, Latin for “Mount Olympus,” is the tallest known mountain in the Solar System, standing at about three times as tall as Mount Everest, at approximately 88,580 feet.

Now you know which mountains stretch higher above the others, as well as the dominance of the Himalayan mountain range, which is in turn dwarfed by Olympus Mons. While you don’t have to scale any of these today, you might consider taking a trip to one of these amazing sights: just remember to bring plenty of supplies if you decide to head to Mars.

Photo Credits: Kappa Wayfarer